Stories, Impact, & News
Showing Our Work
At Firebird, we're makers, thinkers, and community builders. Our work takes two forms: the art you can see and hold, and the harder-to-measure work of building trust, connection, and belonging in Chicago.
This blog is where we share both. Finished pieces and works in progress. Answers we're confident in and questions we're still sitting with.
Remember getting credit in math class for showing your work, even when the answer wasn't perfect? That's the spirit here. We don't have everything figured out, but we're committed to learning in public, and we'd love for you to be part of the conversation.
Welcome to Showing Our Work.
Crisis and Basic Needs Resources for Firebird & Neighbors
Firebird Social Worker Danie Nitardy collected this list of resources for crises and basic needs. Please share any others we should add or update and share with others! Resources are organized by the following categories: Housing Food Heathcare LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Youth Elders...
Challenges and Strengths of Trauma Informed Care at Firebird
This Spring, Firebird's Social Worker, Danie Nitardy, facilitated two sessions for staff and leadership where they dove into specific concepts of trauma informed care that resonate most in our context. What ensued were rich discussions and complicated nuanced scenarios that defied simple answers or approaches. Here we share...
Our Anti-Racism Action Plan
Things we have done/are doing to dismantle white supremacy: Diversifying our Executive Board from 100% white in 2012 to over half POC currently Prioritizing access of South and West Side youth of color to rarefied art media in schools and in our studio Employing Black and Brown youth...
Firebird Community Arts Language Gospel
Introduction "When we talk about being asset-based we mean eliminating the practice of defining less-protected communities as a culmination of deficits or traumas. Asset-based means first recognizing that all communities, including those often labeled as “marginalized” or “disenfranchised,” are filled with knowledge, skills, ideas, and solutions that if...
Healthy Boundaries Poster
These are a series of signs and learning tools we have developed for use in our community studio space. Maybe some of them can be of use to you and your community?
Talking Accountability ain't Easy!
In January 2024, Firebird staff engaged with the brilliant Dr. S Simmons to help us explore collective responsibility, or community accountability. His approach is rooted in principles of accountability and transformative justice. Above is one resource he shared defining accountability in this way. Really want to nerd out?...
Annual Holiday Bazaar
Get excited! Our annual Holiday Bazaar will be Saturday, December 9th from 12 - 5PM. Admission to the event is FREE for all! Treat yourself or purchase a gift for someone special. All goods have been brought to you by local artists and Project FIRE participants. This year...
Nov 9- The Portal- Comedy and Variety Show @ Firebird!
Join us Thursday November 9, 2023 at 8pm for The Portal, Chicago's roaming variety show, bringing comedy and music to every corner of the city. For only $15 you can experience great comedy and a variety of other local acts. Get tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-portal-firebird-community-arts-tickets-600843488047
Oct 20- Beer, Glass, and the Power to Heal
riday, October 20, join us as we partner with Brewseum for a night of glass blowing, beer, and a bonfire? Yes, indeed! Buy tickets here. We gather in the spirit of community. Enjoy some glass blowing demos, learn about the history of your favorite beer vessel shapes through...
Gather 2023
Gather: A Firebird Fundraiser
Scripps News: Chicago bike tour commemorates 1919 race riots
A bike tour in Chicago brings riders up close to Chicago's 1919 race riots, honoring the 38 victims and highlighting the riots' impact. By Ben Schamisso July 25, 2023 A somber history lesson on two wheels is taught by visiting sites where people died and places where people...
Firebird Show at Weinberg-Newton Gallery through Sept. 9
A series of memorials commemorating the worst instance of racial violence in Chicago history that have yet to be installed on city streets are now temporarily on view as part of a neighborhood art gallery’s final exhibition. The memorials recall the Chicago race riots of 1919, where for...
An Unlikely Peace: Survivors of Gun Violence Find Solace in Glassblowing
The Trace — N’Kosi Barber lost a friend in a shooting. Now, he’s helping Chicagoans who have endured similar losses move on through the craft of glassblowing. By Justin Agrelo Jul 7, 2023 Read more here...
Firebird Public Art to Remember 1919 Race Riot
Chicago Sun-Times — Thousands of people pass by Adams Street and Wabash Avenue every day, climbing the stairs to the L, or heading to the Art Institute or other spots in the Loop. Few may know that corner is a murder scene, part of the 1919 riots during which, for...
Feel The Love
Feel The Love has become an annual event. It's a fun night filled with love, karaoke & sweet treats! There is glassblowing demonstrations and art-making opportunities. Glass hearts and roses will be for sale as well :) RSVP to our event this year!
How glassblowing is helping Chicago youth cope with trauma
Chicago Sun Times — The Project Fire program in East Garfield Park teaches glassblowing to victims of violence to help them heal.
Take A Tour Of Chicago Art Studio Pairing Glassblowing With Therapy
The Kelly Clarkson Show — Leeann Trotter from NBC Chicago shines a light on Pearl, the Artistic Director of Firebird Community Arts.
Gather 2022
GATHER 2022 - We came together to give, heal, and empower! Thank you for joining us for an evening filled with tasty treats, drinks, glassblowing, and a silent auction filled with original art and getaways. To see photos from that evening, please click here. Thursday, September 15th | ...
Artreach Exec. Director Karen Benita Reyes says Chicago is steadfast & sturdy
Vocalo —
Remembering the 1919 Chicago Race Riots through Art
NPR | WVIK — Firebird artists will create 38 pieces, one for each person who lost their life in the Chicago Race Riots of 1919.